During a press call today, Pennsylvania elected officials denounced Donald Trump for his attacks on the Khan family following their appearance at the DNC. Speakers also called on Sen. Pat Toomey to pledge to vote against Trump given his disgraceful attack on the fallen soldier’s family and Trump’s clear history of bigotry and xenophobia throughout the campaign.

Key statements from today’s call:

Matt Stehman, Royersford Borough Councilman:

“As a former United States Marine in addition to serving as a City Councilman, as someone who has lost friends in war, someone who has seen friends struggle with coming home from war, I take Donald Trump’s latest attacks deeply personally. His attacks on the Khan family are an attack on all veterans and military families. It’s an attack on their sacrifice and on the values that our military has instilled in generations of Americans. No one who shows that disrespect to military families should be our commander-in-chief. I know that, Pennsylvanians know that, and Pat Toomey should know it too.”

Kate Abel, Dormont Borough Councilwoman:

“Donald Trump’s comments attacking the Khan family were unconscionable—but they shouldn’t be surprising. Trump has made clear that he doesn’t value the contributions of Muslim Americans—the same way he’s dismissed the contributions of Mexican Americans, of immigrants, of women and of so many other groups. People in Pennsylvania and around the country have real concerns and face real challenges, but instead of proposing solutions, Trump has just pointed to scapegoats and enflamed racial resentment. That’s why Pat Toomey’s tepid criticism of Donald Trump isn’t enough. He needs to make clear that someone who has displayed this record of bigotry and prejudice has no place in the White House.”

Shamaine Daniels, Harrisburg City Councilwoman:

“This week, Donald Trump called Harrisburg, Pennsylvania ‘a war zone.’ He decided to disparage it because he glanced out the window of his airplane. So my question is: where is Pat Toomey’s line? Apparently, he’s willing to let Donald Trump disparage the people of Harrisburg and Pennsylvania. Apparently, he’s willing to let Donald Trump attack and smear the parents of a soldier who gave his life for his country. Apparently he’s willing to let Donald Trump attack immigrants and Muslims and women.

“What will it take for Pat Toomey to say enough is enough? What will it take for Pat Toomey to stop holding a Supreme Court seat for Donald Trump to fill? If Pat Toomey won’t stand up against these attacks now, what would he do if Donald Trump were to become President? We don’t need someone who gets pushed around by bullies. I don’t think we need Pat Toomey.”

Marita Garrett, Wilkinsburg Borough Councilwoman:

“Donald Trump has shown that he can’t respond to criticism with anything but arrogance and rage. Even putting everything else aside, no one with this little self-control should be allowed anywhere near the Oval Office. Pat Toomey should recognize that fact. But instead he continues to put his party ahead of his country. Pat Toomey needs to stop playing politics and say loud and clear that Donald Trump doesn’t have the temperament to be President. He doesn’t have the temperament to appoint our next Supreme Court Justice. He doesn’t have the temperament to have his finger on the button.”

For more information or follow-up interviews, please email lepstein@pfaw.org.